SHRM Foundation, USAA Launch Ambassador Program to Support Military Community

​ALEXANDRIA, Va., February 24, 2021 — The SHRM Foundation, with support from USAA and the USAA Foundation, launched an Ambassador program to mobilize HR leaders to mitigate the significant financial impact the COVID-19 pandemic and other barriers have created for veterans and the military community members seeking employment opportunities. 

The pressures of 2020 have had an outsized impact on military members and their families, yet veterans and the military community have the in-demand skills to meet today's toughest workplace challenges. According to SHRM research, 96 percent of HR professionals say veterans are uniquely trained to work through chaotic times, and 85 percent of HR professionals, managers and senior level leaders reported positive work experience with military spouses.

"We've seen firsthand how members of the military community bring vital, unique skill sets, diverse backgrounds and leadership to our workplaces. USAA and the USAA Foundation are excited to work with SHRM and the SHRM Foundation to improve recruitment and retainment efforts for this talent pool," said Harriet Dominique, Chief Diversity, Inclusion and Corporate Responsibility Officer & President, USAA Foundation, Inc. "Together, HR professionals and organizations like SHRM and USAA can make a positive difference in the lives of veterans, transitioning service members, and their families by leading and strengthening military community inclusion initiatives."

Interested volunteers from SHRM chapters across the country are being recruited and trained through the program. In their roles, USAA/SHRM Foundation Ambassadors will engage local workers through training programs for HR professionals, ensuring employers have the tools and skills necessary to include the military community in their hiring practices.

"The SHRM Foundation is proud to continue working with USAA and the USAA Foundation to build on our critical work to equip HR professionals with the tools and resources they need to attract, hire and retain members of the military community," said Wendi Safstrom, Executive Director of the SHRM Foundation. "The COVID-19 pandemic has left no part of the workforce untouched, and with the help of our volunteers, chapters, and more than 300,000 members, HR remains committed to breaking down barriers to employment, bolstering support for veterans and the military community, and as a result, foster better workplaces for all."

For more information, visit https://pages.shrm.org/usaa.

MEDIA: Contact Julie Hirschhorn at Julie.Hirschhorn@shrm.org  and 703-842-5152.

About SHRM Foundation

The SHRM Foundation is the 501(c)(3) philanthropic arm of the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM). Founded in 1966, the SHRM Foundation inspires and empowers HR professionals to unlock human potential and lead social change in the workplace and beyond.  Its purpose is to elevate and empower HR as a social force through mobilizing the power of HR and the generosity of donors to lead positive social change impacting work, workers and the workplace. This vision creates a world of work that works for all. The SHRM Foundation has the potential to impact 115 million workers and their families globally, through SHRM's 300,000 members and beyond, through its robust programming and resources, meaningful partnerships and evidenced-based research that educate and empower HR professionals to hire diverse talent, build inclusive workplaces and help employees find purpose at work and beyond.